Page 33 of Adeline

“No, I fear I am a mere country squire who has no knowledge of town life.”

“May I ask why?” She stared up at him from her seat on the lounge, but her eyes held no pity, only interest.

“At first, it was to keep me from the prying eyes of those who would gossip and speak disparagingly about me until my burns healed. However, with time came the scars, the villagers’ gossip, and my aunt’s never-ending need to protect the boy she loved as a son.”

“And so you rarely left Faversham.”

“And so, I never left Faversham Abbey or Ailesbury land until after my aunt’s death.”

“Not so far as even the village?”

He shook his head. “No, though I tried once. I’d heard from Mrs. Hutchins that the merchant in town was hosting a grand Christmastide gathering at his home. I hid in the stables until my Aunt Alice and Uncle Bartholomew had retired and took to their room. I slipped from my hiding spot and ran toward the village, or at least the direction I assumed the village lay in, but I was met by nothing but never-ending fields, rolling meadows, and eventually, a creek. I was cold, exhausted, and hungry by the time I finally found my bed at daybreak.”

Jasper snapped his mouth shut before admitting he’d cried himself to sleep—and then lied to his aunt about how he’d caught the cold that plagued him for an entire fortnight.

“I know now that even on that wild, reckless night, I never left Ailesbury land.”

“I am certain they only sought to protect you,” she murmured.

“Of that, I have no doubt.” Especially after learning the villagers had taken to calling him the Beast of Faversham.

A light knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Jasper commanded.

“Watson, my lord,” Abbington announced, stepping aside to allow the Faversham stable master into the room before departing.

“Watson.” Jasper clasped his hands behind his back, relishing the warmth on his bare palms. “I hope Grovedale arrived home safely.”

“Yes, m’lord,” Watson said, glancing at Adeline and quickly back to Jasper, uncertain if he should acknowledge the woman’s presence—alone—in the library with his master. “And the physician quickly after. The man be mostly unscathed, just sore.”

“Very good.” It was the best news Jasper had heard all day.

“But I be here about Miss Adeline’s coach.” He risked another glance to where Adeline remained seated and quiet. “Good eve, Miss Adeline.”

Adeline smiled, and Watson blushed.

“Good evening to you, too, Watson.” Jasper marveled at her decorum as she nodded a greeting to his servant. If there had been tea, she would have poured the bloody man a steaming cup. “Many thanks for seeing the man home. I hope Emily arrived at her husband’s side, as well.”

“Of course,” Watson stammered.

“You were saying, Watson?” Jasper asked, aiming to recapture the man’s attention. But when Watson looked back at his master, Jasper was certain Watson had forgotten what he’d come to tell him. “The coach?”

It was the only prodding needed as Watson nodded vigorously and refocused on Jasper. “Yes, me apologies. Miss Adeline’s coach canna be repaired—“ At Jasper’s scowl, Watson collected himself and rearranged his thoughts. “What I mean ta say, is it be much longer ta fix it, and even then, it be likely the coach would break down again afore reach’n London.”

“Oh, no,” Adeline protested, jumping to her feet. “I must return, or my brother will think something awful has happened to me.”

For the first time since her arrival, the thought struck Jasper that the proper thing to do would have been to send a servant to London, even with the storm, with word of Adeline’s safety and the repairs needed for the carriage. Instead, he’d thought only of making certain she found refuge at the Abbey, without thought of her family’s concern.

* * *

Adeline welcomed the servant’s intrusion, yet she did not relish the news he’d brought. Her carriage was beyond repair, or at least it could not be mended at Faversham Abbey. Watson’s news should have filled her with a sense of helplessness. Instead, she only thought of more time with Lord Ailesbury—Jasper. Eventually, it would be necessary for her to find her way back to London and her family, but a few more days’ respite was certainly not all bad.

After the storm had passed and the roads dried, she would buy passage on the mail coach, much like she’d done to come to Canterbury that first time. Certainly, Alistair could not object to her making the journey alone with only her drive and maid, though she hoped Jasper would allow her to borrow the funds for the fare.

To think he’d lost both his parents at the same age Adeline had been cast from her family’s home and sent to a school where she hadn’t known a soul. At least her family had been alive and whole. The same was not true for Jasper.

“She and her maid will take my traveling coach,” the earl announced, brushing his hands together as if all had been resolved and the remedy was best for everyone.